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UFO/UAP
Evidence Dossier

Alaska Area UAP Pilot Reports

Evidence Dossier: A record proves that a statement, transfer, examination, or result was documented. It does not automatically prove the anomalous interpretation attached to it.
OverviewEvidenceTimelineAnalysisSources
2023-02-06, 2023-02-20, 2023-03-08
North of Kotzebue, Alaska, USA, Northwest of Kenai, Alaska, USA, Vicinity of Pedro Bay, Alaska, USA
7/10
3/10
Pilots observed multiple UAP/UFO incidents near Alaska.
Primary reporting forms, but often resolved as erroneous data.

Investigative Assessments

"The reported claim remains worth testing against the record: Pilots observed multiple UAP/UFO incidents near Alaska. The strongest documented reasons to keep the file open are: SKYWATCH INCIDENT REPORT 02/06/2023: Documents the reporting of an unknown phenomenon possibly an unverified balloon.; FAA Report 237UAP00480: Stationary Black Object Near Kenai: Documents a Ravn Alaska crew report of a stationary round black object estimated at about 16,000 feet while the aircraft was at 6,000 feet.. Key unresolved lead: What, if any, follow-up identification was made for the Kenai and Pedro Bay reports?"
"Evidentiary limitations: Primary reporting forms, but often resolved as erroneous data. Note that: SKYWATCH INCIDENT REPORT 02/06/2023 fails to support: Closed out as erroneous and uncorrelated radar data.; FAA Report 237UAP00480: Stationary Black Object Near Kenai fails to support: The form supplies no imagery, measured range, radar confirmation, or final identification.. Documented contradiction: The February 6 entry initially described a possible balloon but its closeout called the report erroneous and uncorrelated radar data. Leading conventional hypothesis: Erroneous or uncorrelated radar data, as recorded in the February 6 closeout."

Case Summary

A cluster of pilot reports to FAA Operations and NORAD regarding unidentified aerial activity over or near Alaska. Several were closed out as erroneous or uncorrelated radar data.

Evidence Locker

3 inspectable evidence items. Claims and source findings are kept separate.

Official operational report Local copy hash-verified

SKYWATCH INCIDENT REPORT 02/06/2023

Analyst rating: Primary operational report

“Alaska NORAD reported an unidentified aerial phenomenon 115 NM N of OTZ... CLOSEOUT: Report determined to be erroneous and uncorrelated radar data.”
Record locationPage 1
Evidence classOperational log
Relationship to claimDirect operational record.
Authenticity assessmentOfficial operational report
What this supportsDocuments the reporting of an unknown phenomenon possibly an unverified balloon.
What it does not supportClosed out as erroneous and uncorrelated radar data.
ProvenanceExtracted from NARA official corpus release.
Chain of custodyNARA release -> Local hash verified.
Open Document (Local PDF Document) Download Copy Canonical Agency Record
Official operational report Local copy hash-verified

FAA Report 237UAP00480: Stationary Black Object Near Kenai

Analyst rating: Primary operational report

“The UAP was a round black object that was stationary at approximately 16,000 feet.”
Record locationPage 1
Evidence classOperational log
Relationship to claimDirect operational record.
Authenticity assessmentOfficial operational report
What this supportsDocuments a Ravn Alaska crew report of a stationary round black object estimated at about 16,000 feet while the aircraft was at 6,000 feet.
What it does not supportThe form supplies no imagery, measured range, radar confirmation, or final identification.
ProvenanceExtracted from NARA official corpus release.
Chain of custodyNARA release -> Local hash verified.
Open Document (Local PDF Document) Download Copy Canonical Agency Record
Official operational report Local copy hash-verified

FAA Report 237UAP00492: Illuminated Object Near Pedro Bay

Analyst rating: Primary operational report

“Reported an unidentified illuminated aerial phenomenon from the left side while NE bound at 14,000 feet.”
Record locationPage 1
Evidence classOperational log
Relationship to claimDirect operational record.
Authenticity assessmentOfficial operational report
What this supportsDocuments a pilot report of an illuminated aerial object near Pedro Bay in twilight and notification of Alaska NORAD.
What it does not supportThe form records no imagery, radar confirmation, measured range, or follow-up identification.
ProvenanceExtracted from NARA official corpus release.
Chain of custodyNARA release -> Local hash verified.
Open Document (Local PDF Document) Download Copy Canonical Agency Record

Documented Timeline

  • 2023-02-06: Alaska NORAD reported a possible balloon north of Kotzebue; the FAA closeout later called the report erroneous and uncorrelated radar data.
  • 2023-02-20: A Ravn Alaska crew reported a stationary round black object northwest of Kenai; no evasive action was taken and Alaska NORAD was notified.
  • 2023-03-08: A pilot near Pedro Bay reported an illuminated object in twilight; contact was lost, no impact to the National Airspace System was reported, and Alaska NORAD was notified.

Named Participants and Roles

  • Unidentified Alaska NORAD and FAA personnel associated with the February 6 report and closeout.
  • The Ravn Alaska 140 flight crew that made the February 20 visual report.
  • The TN479AK pilot in command who made the March 8 visual report.

Contradictions and Record Conflicts

  • The February 6 entry initially described a possible balloon but its closeout called the report erroneous and uncorrelated radar data.
  • The two later reports describe visual objects, but the acquired one-page forms contain no resolution, imagery, or attached sensor record.

Conventional Explanations

  • Erroneous or uncorrelated radar data, as recorded in the February 6 closeout.
  • A balloon or other windborne object.
  • A conventional aircraft, drone, celestial source, or lighting effect viewed without enough range data.

Missing Evidence

  • Any underlying radar plots or sensor data for the February 6 report.
  • Imagery, measured range, azimuth, elevation, and weather data for the February 20 and March 8 visual reports.
  • Follow-up identification or investigation records for the two visual reports.

What Remains Unresolved

  • The February 6 report was administratively closed as erroneous data.
  • The acquired records do not resolve the February 20 round black object or the March 8 illuminated object.
  • The cluster establishes that reports were made, not that the events shared a cause.

Investigative Hypotheses

  • Anomalous craft
  • Erroneous radar data
  • Misidentified balloons or aircraft

Open Questions

  • What, if any, follow-up identification was made for the Kenai and Pedro Bay reports?
  • Were radar, weather, or balloon-track records preserved for either visual report?

Archival Landing Pages and Evidence Corpus

NARA Record Group 615, FAA UAP Records

Official Bulk Archive

External URL: https://catalog.archives.gov/id/493468575